title: Percutaneous peripheral atherectomy: angiographic and clinical follow-up of 60 patients.
abstract: The Simpson atherectomy catheter was used to treat 60 patients with a total of 94 lesions comprising 63 stenoses (mean length 1.1 +/- 0.5 cm) and 31 occlusions (4.2 +/- 2.9 cm) of the superficial femoral (n = 77), popliteal (n = 8), iliac (n = 8) and anterior tibial (n = 1) arteries. The immediate angiographic success rate was 90% for both occlusions and stenoses, and clinical success was obtained in 82% of patients. The stenoses were reduced from 83 +/- 13% to 17 +/- 18% acutely and to 31 +/- 26% at 6 months; the occlusions were reduced from 100% to 9 +/- 9% initially and to 60 +/- 34% at 6 months. Angiographic restenosis was found in 24% of lesions: 23% in concentric and 11% in eccentric lesions and 47% in total occlusions. At 1 year, 72% of patients had clinically patent arteries with maintained Doppler index and walking distance. Three of four patients undergoing repeat atherectomy had a second restenosis. In summary, the procedure was found to be safe and effective in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. It appears to be particularly beneficial in the treatment of eccentric stenoses and is not limited by the presence of calcification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Klinikum Grosshadern, Munich, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: von Pölnitz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nerlich
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Höfling
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002404:Catheterization; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011150:Popliteal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011379:Prognosis; D011859:Radiography; D014654:Vascular Patency